Staying cool throughout the summer is a necessity when you’re living in Lake Elmo, but when you’ve already spent hundreds on AC repairs and your AC system is already on its last legs, you’re better off installing a new system entirely.

At Hurlburt, we’re always aiming to give you the cheaper option, so in certain cases where it’s cheaper to upgrade your AC system than it is to simply repair it, we offer professional AC installation services to ensure you’ve got a fully functional system.

When Should I Install a New AC System?

Generally speaking, it’s not always easy to self-diagnose and know when it’s right to replace your heating or cooling systems when it might not look like it has any major issues.

You want to hang on to your current system for as long as possible, even if that means getting it repaired now and then, because it’s traditionally pretty expensive to shell out on an entirely new system – having said that, though, it’s more expensive to keep going down the AC repair route if your AC system is around 10-12 years old.

Aside from the fact that you’re going to be paying more in your utility bills each month by using an inefficient product (since it’s consuming way more energy than it should be), it becomes cumulatively more expensive past that 10-year point since natural wear and tear starts to take place.

Sure, you can just keep getting repairs, but when the total sum of them starts to exceed around $1500 at a time, it’s genuinely less hassle and money to just upgrade your AC system entirely. This isn’t just exclusive to the older AC systems, either, as even newer models that weren’t installed properly can damage their internal components and cause them to function improperly.

Fortunately, though, our HVAC experts have been installing new AC systems in Lake Elmo homes for 65+ years, so we’re experienced in knowing when it’s cheaper for you to upgrade than it is to constantly make repairs – give us a call at (715) 283-4422 and we’ll send one of our technicians over to determine which is the least expensive option for you.

Age is one of the most significant factors we look at, but there are a couple of other instances where you might be better off installing a new system, too:

  • Major Mold Growth: From White Bear Lake to Lake Phalen, you’re certainly not short of scenic lakes in Lake Elmo. With that, though, comes humidity levels that are generally much higher than in more urban cities in Minnesota like Minneapolis, and this can cause some severe mold growth (not to mention the smell).

Now, cleaning and disinfecting the system might cause some temporary relief, but if foul odors persist, this is possibly a sign that there’s a deeper mold infestation within the system or other areas around the unit that are inaccessible. If that’s the case, there’s a chance you might need a completely new AC system to eliminate the source of the mold, which not only gets rid of the smell but also prevents it from causing some serious – and costly – structural damage to your home.

  • Significant Leakage or Moisture Buildup: This sort of thing is usually a result of condensate drain issues or problems with internal components like the evaporator coil, and when it’s over 80°F in July and humidity is higher because of all the local lakes, these sorts of issues can become way more pronounced and might accelerate corrosion and general damage.

Certain leaks can be repaired by our HVAC experts, but more extensive damage might necessitate the entire system being replaced so that it’s not only functioning properly but preventing any further water damage to your home.